Low energy method of preparing basic copper carbonates

ABSTRACT

A method of forming basic copper carbonates includes providing an aqueous solution comprising copper (II) ammonia, and carbonic acid; and adding sufficient carbon dioxide to precipitate a basic copper carbonate from the aqueous solution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basic copper carbonate (BCC) is a well-known chemical compound which hasa variety of uses including, without limitation, as a pigment,insecticide and algaecide. BCC may be represented by the formula(CuCO₃)_(x)(Cu(OH)₂)_(y) and may occur as malachite (Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂,wherein x and y are 1) or azurite (Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, wherein x is 2 and yis 1).

Azurite and malachite differ in color, as well as in copper and carbondioxide content. Azurite, deep blue in color, contains about 55.5%copper and about 25.5% CO₂. Malachite, in contrast, is bright green incolor, and contains about 57.5% Cu and about 19.9% CO₂.

Various methods for the preparation of BCC are known in the art. Onetraditional method of making BCC may be referred to as “caustic boil.”In this method, copper metal is dissolved in an ammonia/ammoniumcarbonate solution, via well-known techniques developed in the 1800s,followed by boiling off the ammonia to precipitate BCC. The caustic boilmethod is an energy intensive process and therefore less desirable.Another method contemplates adding sodium carbonate to a solution ofcopper sulfate, followed by filtering, washing and drying. This methodresults in BCC contaminated with sodium and sulfate and is thereforeless desirable.

A method for preparing BCC which provides advantages over known methodswould be desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the foregoing and other needs by providing,in one aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing BCCcomprising: (a) providing a solution of copper (II), the solutioncomprising copper (II), an amine, carbonic acid, and water in a reactionvessel, (b) adjusting the pH of the solution until BCC is formed; and(c) recovering the BCC.

A further aspect of the invention provides, in connection with themethod described in the preceding paragraph, the further step ofintroducing a copper metal-containing material into a copper(II)-depleted solvent system to provide an enriched copper (II)solution, the latter being introduced into the reaction vessel.

In a related aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing BCCcomprising: contacting copper metal with an aqueous solution comprisingan amine, carbonic acid, and oxygen under conditions where the coppermetal is converted into BCC; and recovering the BCC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary operational flow of acontinuous method of preparing BCC according to one aspect of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The various aspects of the present invention provide methods forpreparing BCC, the latter being represented by the formula(CuCO₃)_(x)(Cu(OH)₂)_(y), wherein x>0 and y>0. Desirably, in thisformula, when y is 1, x may be 1 or 2, may range from about 0.95 to lessthan 1 or to 1, and, more desirably, x is 1 or 2 when y is 1.

More than one species of BCC may be prepared by the inventive methods.For example, malachite (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃, wherein x and y are 1 in theformula) or azurite (Cu₃(OH)₂(CO₃)₂, wherein x is 2 and y is 1 in theformula) may be prepared, as may mixtures thereof.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing BCCcomprising: (a) providing a solution of copper (II) in a reactionvessel, the solution comprising copper (II), an amine, carbonic acid,and water, adjusting the pH of the solution until BCC is provided; andrecovering the BCC.

The foregoing method may be practiced in any suitable reaction vessel,e.g., a spray chamber, a stirred tank reactor, a rotating tube reactor,or a pipeline reactor, in either a continuous or batch process. It isdesirable to practice the method as a continuous process, more desirablyusing a continuous stirred tank reactor.

The type of reaction vessel may influence the morphology of the BCCformed therein, such as particle size and particle shape. For example, aconstantly stirred tank reactor (CSTR) tends to provide fairly uniformspherical agglomerated BCC particles, whereas a rotary evaporator-typereactor, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,003, produces morerod-like BCC particles. Thus, BCC particle size and shape may beinfluenced in connection with the inventive method via appropriatereactor vessel selection.

The particle size of BCC may also be controlled by varying theconcentrations of copper (II) and ammonia in the solution, as well as byregulating the input rate of copper solution and/or CO₂ into thereaction vessel; and/or the endpoint of the precipitation reaction. Theparticle size may also be controlled by other process parameters, suchas residence time, or temperature.

In the solution provided in the reaction vessel, or feed solution, thecopper (II) included therein may originate from any suitable source.

In practice, a typical copper (II)-containing feed stream containsammonia, water, carbonic acid, and other components. A typical feedstream will include components, in certain amounts, as follows: copper(II), from about 10 g/L to about 160 g/L, desirably from about 70 g/L toabout 105 g/L; water; ammonia, from about 3 g/L to about 110 g/L,desirably from about 50 g/L to about 90 g/L; and ammonia to copper (II)molar ratio from about 2.5 to about 3.3, desirably from about 2.8 toabout 3.1; and carbonic acid from about 15 g/L to about 130 g/L,desirably from about 95 g/L to about 110 g/L.

Generally, as the content of the feed stream is known, one skilled inthe art should be able to create the feed stream with the amount of eachcomponent needed to be present in the reaction vessel to practice theinventive methods.

In the aspect of the invention that involves introducing a coppermetal-containing material into a copper (II)-depleted solvent system toprovide an enriched copper (II) solution, an additional amount of anamine may be added to assist in solubilizing the copper metal in theaqueous medium. The amine is desirably ammonia (which exists in theaqueous medium in equilibrium with ammonium hydroxide). The amountrequired to effect this dissolution will vary, but will generally rangefrom about 0.5:1 to about 4:1, and desirably from about 1:1 to about2:1, moles of amine to moles of copper metal. On an absolute basis, theamount of amine in the aqueous solution is desirably limited, rangingfrom about 15 g/L to about 105 g/L, and more desirably from about 60 g/Lto about 96 g/L, of NH₃. In general, as the pressure in the reactorvessel increases, the allowable amine concentration may be increased.

The carbonic acid may be provided in the reaction vessel by any suitablemeans, but is preferably provided by introducing CO₂ into the reactionvessel, e.g., by bubbling CO₂ through the aqueous solution, or byproviding a relative increase in the partial pressure of CO₂ within thereaction vessel. As used herein, the term carbonic acid includescarbonic acid as well as bicarbonate and carbonate ions, as it will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in reading this disclosure that allof these species may be present when CO₂ is introduced into the aqueoussolution.

Following precipitation and separation of the solids, it may benecessary to reduce the carbonate level, or increase the pH, in thesolution to provide a suitable solution for copper leaching. This can beaccomplished by reducing the partial pressure of CO₂ in the vessel, ornominally through a reduction of the total pressure within the reactionvessel.

The relationship between the components in the system, while not beingbound by theory, may be simplistically explained in terms of anequation: [Cu²⁺]^(n)[OH⁻]^(m)[CO₃ ²⁻]^(p)=K_(sp), wherein n, m, and pare greater than 0, and K_(sp) is a solubility product for BCC. When theproduct of certain ionic concentrations exceed the solubility constantfor BCC (i.e., K_(sp)), BCC will precipitate out of the solution. Notshown in the K_(sp) equation is the solvating ligand ammonia thatinfluences the concentration of copper ions available for bonding.

In the inventive methods, selectively increasing the concentration ofone or more of copper (II), hydroxide ions or carbonate ions, ordecreasing the ammonia concentration may be sufficient to cause BCC toprecipitate from the solution.

For this invention addition of the CO₂ also adjusts the pH of thesolution in order to precipitate BCC. In this regard, the pH of thesolution is desirably relatively low, for example less than about 10,during the formation of BCC. More desirably, the pH may range from about7 to about 10, preferably from about 7 to about 9, and more preferablyfrom about 7 to about 8. Preferably, the pH of the solution is adjustedby the introduction and removal of CO₂ from the reaction vessel.

One of the advantages of the inventive methods is that BCC may beobtained from copper (II)-containing solutions using less energyrelative to known methods. While the methods may be carried out at anysuitable temperature, e.g., from about 25° C. to the boiling point ofthe solution, it is desirable that a limited amount or no heat need beadded to the solution during the formation of the BCC. For example, themethods desirably contemplate maintaining the temperature of thesolution from about 15° C. to about 100° C. more desirably from about21° C. to about 82° C., and even more desirably from about 38° C. toabout 79° C. Preferably, the temperature of the solution may range fromabout 60° C. to about 77° C.

The preparation of azurite, malachite or a mixture thereof may becontrolled by controlling the temperature of the solution in thereaction vessel. More specifically, azurite is provided in relativelygreater quantities when the temperature of the solution is relativelylow, while malachite is provided in relatively greater quantities whenthe temperature of the solution is relatively high. While thesetemperatures may vary depending on the operating pressure in thereaction vessel, at 100 psig pressure the temperature of the solution toprovide azurite is desirably between about 4° C. and about 71° C., andmore desirably between about 38° C. and about 68° C.; to providemalachite the temperature is desirably between about 65° C. and aboutboiling, and more desirably between about 68° C. and about 79° C., andto provide a mixture the temperature of the solution is desirablybetween about 65° C. and about 71° C., and more desirably between about65° C. and about 68° C. At relatively lower pressures, the temperatureranges will be relatively lower than those disclosed above.

While the preparation of BCC may be carried while the reaction vessel isat ambient pressure, it may be desirable to increase the pressure in thereaction vessel in order to increase the yield per liter of feedsolution. If desired, the pressure in the reaction vessel may desirablyrange from about 0 psig to about 1500 psig, more desirably range fromabout 0 psig to about 300 psig, and preferably range from about 50 psigto about 200 psig.

In a related aspect, the inventive methods provide for the preparationof BCC by the introduction of a copper metal-containing material into asolution of copper (II), the solution comprising copper (II), an amine,carbonic acid, and water. Illustrative of suitable copper materials arecopper metal, bronze, copper-containing plastics, alloys, compounds, andclads.

The aforesaid copper (II) solution includes a relatively lowconcentration of copper (II) therein, as it is preferably the solventsystem which remains after a copper (II) solution having a relativelyhigh copper (II) concentration has been processed in accordance with themethods described herein to provide BCC.

The copper in the aforementioned copper-containing solution is oxidizedprior to introduction into the primary reaction vessel. Oxygen, and moredesirably, air, is used as the oxidizer. The conditions under whichoxidation will occur are well known to those skilled in the art.

Desirably, and prior to introduction into the reaction vessel, thecopper metal-containing material is dissolved in a copper (II)-depletedsolvent system comprising an amine to provide a solution which containsa relatively high concentration of copper (II), which is preferably atleast 88 g/L, more preferably at least 92 g/L, and most preferably atleast 96 g/L copper (II). Desirably, the ammonia concentration rangesfrom about 60 g/L to about 96 g/L, and the primary reaction vessel is atabout 50 psig to about 200 psig, wherein this copper (II) replenishedsolution is then introduced into the primary reaction vessel wherein BCCis formed.

Desirably, the methods of the invention contemplate that, in thereaction vessel, the molar ratio of ammonia to copper (II) ranges fromabout 2.6 to about 3.9, the temperature of the solution in the reactionvessel ranges from about 20° C. to near boiling; and the pressure in thereaction vessel ranges from about 0 psig to about 1500 psig. Moredesirably, in the reaction vessel, the molar ratio of ammonia to copper(II) in the solution ranges from about 2.7 to about 3.8; the temperatureof the solution in the reaction vessel ranges from about 48° C. to about80° C.; and the pressure in the reaction vessel ranges from about 20psig to about 500 psig. Preferably, in the reaction vessel, the molarratio of ammonia to copper (II) ranges from about 2.7 to about 3.2; thetemperature of the solution in the reaction vessel ranges from about 60°C. to about 75° C.; and the pressure in the reaction vessel ranges fromabout 80 psig to about 250 psig.

As mentioned previously, an aspect of the inventive methods desirablyprovides a means for the continuous preparation of BCC. FIG. 1 is aschematic diagram which provides an exemplary operational flow of amethod of providing BCC in according with this aspect of the invention.Referring to this figure, the method includes processing stages whichmay be referred to as precipitation 1, filtration 3, CO₂ separation 5,and leaching 7. In the precipitation process, BCC is formed andprecipitated from an aqueous solution comprising copper (II), ammonia,and carbonic acid (provided via the introduction of CO₂ 2, as describedherein), as described in more detail herein. After BCC formation iscompleted, the solution may be filtered 3 to recover the BCC 4.

The filtration process contemplated by the invention may be performed byany suitable means, but is desirably performed under pressure (e.g.,between about 1 psig and about 1500 psig) to prevent the desorption ofCO₂, the latter potentially causing solids to re-dissolve in the solventsolution. Further, filtration under pressure (above ambient) may preventthe solids from agglomerating at the bottom of the filter.

After filtration is completed, the copper (II)-depleted solventdesirably may be degassed to remove excess CO₂ by boiling for adesignated time in a vessel equipped with a condenser (to collect thedistillate). Alternatively, or in addition, CO₂ may be removed by airstripping or pressure reduction. The CO₂ removed by degassing may bereused by recycling 6 it back to the precipitation vessel 1. The copper(II)-depleted solvent may then be used in a leaching/oxidation process 7to obtain a replenished copper (II) solution, which solution then may berecycled and utilized in the method described herein (to provide BCC).As this method provides for continuous processing in a closed loop,waste production is minimized and lower energy consumption is achieved.

The exemplary continuous processing illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided asone possible embodiment of the inventive method, and may be modified asdesired. For example, the replenished copper (II) solution may bediluted with water prior to its use in the method in order to restore anappropriate solution concentration. Also, after BCC is formed, and priorto filtration, the resultant slurry may be subjected to a thickeningprocess. Additionally, after the copper metal is added to the copper(II)-depleted solvent system (after the leaching process), the resultingaqueous solution may be oxidized to obtain a solution having arelatively higher amount of copper (II) (for example, higher than 1 g/L)and a lower amount of copper (I) (for example, lower than 1 g/L). Thesolution may also be heated after this oxidizing process to control thetemperature of the solution as desired, which would permit some controlover the type of BCC formed using the method, as described herein. Thistemperature control also may be implemented after oxidation, or at adifferent processing juncture, e.g., prior to and/or during theprecipitation process.

The inventive method also contemplates preparing BCC by contactingcopper metal with an aqueous solution comprising an amine, carbonic acid(which may be present as a carbonate, as described herein), and oxygenunder conditions where the copper metal is converted into BCC; andrecovering the BCC.

The invention further contemplates a method of forming BCC comprisingthe steps of providing copper (II) hydroxide in an aqueous solutioncomprising an amine and a sufficient amount of carbonic acid to convertat least one fourth of the copper hydroxide to BCC; under conditionswhere the copper hydroxide is converted to BCC; and recovering the BCC.In this aspect of the invention, the amine is desirably ammoniumhydroxide, and the copper hydroxide is desirably formed by contactingcopper metal with an oxidant and an aqueous solution comprising ammoniumhydroxide under conditions that the copper metal is converted to copper(II) hydroxide. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that copper(II) hydroxide may be formed when the solution has a high concentrationof hydroxide ions relative to carbonate ions, and that the copper (II)hydroxide is disassociated in the presence of water, providing copper(II) ions in the aqueous solution. Desirably, the solution may containfrom about 0.1 gram to 15 grams of soluble copper ions per liter ofsoluble copper.

The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course,should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.

EXAMPLE 1

This example demonstrates production of BCC by reducing the pH of aplant solution left from caustic boil production of BCC and containingcopper (II), ammonia and CO₂.

3 L of an aqueous solution containing 48 g/L CO₂, 48 g/L NH₃, 54 g/Lcopper (II), and at a pH of 10 were added to a stoppered Erlenmeyerflask whose side-arm was open to the atmosphere; the stopper held a gasdispersion tube connected to a source of CO₂ gas, and a thermometer. Thestarting temperature was 22.9° C. CO₂ gas was bubbled into the solutionat a rate of 0.5 LPM, with constant mixing. At 1.5 hours, the pH was8.07 and the temperature had risen to 31.1° C.; solids started to form.After 3.5 hours, 10 g of blue solids were collected by filtration. Theremaining solution had a pH of 7.7 and a temperature of 29.7° C., andcontained 94 g/L CO₂, 47 g/L NH₃, and 49 g/L Copper (II). The collectedsolids constituted 53.84% copper determined by electrogravimetry, 24.38%CO₂ determined by differential pressure, and 0.68% NH₃ determined by theKjeldhal method.

This example illustrates the preparation of BCC from a copper (II)solution by lowering the pH, and without additional energy input (e.g.,the solution was not heated after introduction into the reaction flask).

EXAMPLE 2

This example demonstrates leaching of copper metal into an aqueoussolution containing copper (II), ammonia and CO₂.

After the filtration of BCC therefrom, the resultant copper(II)-depleted solution was boiled to remove excess CO₂. After boiling,the aqueous solution contained 16.4 g/L copper (II), 18.9 g/L NH₃, and25.6 g/L CO₂, and had a pH of 8.3. 1.0468 kg of 78% copper-on-steel wirewas added to 9.0 L of the boiled solution in a 10 L cylindrical glassreactor with a peristaltic feed pump. At time zero, the solution had atemperature of 28° C., which was brought to and maintained at 38-40° C.during the leaching. Air was sparged through system. At the end of 8.0hours, the solution contained 22.8 g/L copper (II), 20 g/L NH₃, 24.3 g/LCO₂, and had a pH of 8.15. The boiled solution was enriched by theleaching of 6.4 g/L copper (II) from copper metal.

This copper-enriched solution is suitable as the feed solution for usein the BCC preparation process described herein.

EXAMPLE 3

This experiment demonstrates that BCC may be precipitated from acopper-depleted solution that had been enriched by dissolving coppermetal.

10 L of enriched solution from a leaching test was put into a stirredtank reactor. The initial conditions of the aqueous solution were: 21.7g/L copper (II), 17.7 g/L NH₃, 30.1 g/L CO₂, pH 9.6, and temperature 24°C. The CO₂ flow rate was set to 2.0 LPM. After 1 hour, the pH haddropped to 7.46, the temperature was 46° C. and solids had started toform. After 3 hours, 156.7 g of dark green solids were collected byfiltration. The final solution had 11.1 g/L copper (II), 18.2 g/L NH₃,37.8 g/L CO₂, a pH of 7.6 and a temperature of 43° C. The dried solidswere 56.7% copper. Thus, a process loop was achieved.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A method of forming basic copper carbonatecomprising: contacting copper (II) hydroxide with an aqueous solutioncomprising an amine and a sufficient amount of carbonic acid to convertat least one fourth of the copper hydroxide to basic copper carbonate;under conditions where the copper hydroxide is converted to basic coppercarbonate; and recovering the basic copper carbonate.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the amine is ammonium hydroxide.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the copper hydroxide is formed by contacting coppermetal with an oxidant and an aqueous solution comprising ammoniumhydroxide under conditions that the copper metal is converted to copperhydroxide.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the basiccopper carbonate is one selected from the group consisting of azurite,malachite, and mixtures thereof.
 16. A method of preparing basic coppercarbonate comprising: (a) providing a solution of copper (II), thesolution comprising copper (II), an amine, carbonic acid, and water in areaction vessel, (b) adjusting the pH of the solution until basic coppercarbonate is formed; and (c) recovering the basic copper carbonate. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature of the solution rangesfrom about 20° C. to about 100° C.
 18. The method of claim 16, whereinthe temperature of the solution is from about about 25° C. to about 80°C.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein reaction vessel is a spraychamber, a stirred tank reactor, a rotating tube reactor, or a pipelinereactor.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the pH is adjusted byincreasing or decreasing the CO₂ concentration.
 21. The method accordingto claim 16, wherein step (b) is carried out at ambient pressure. 22.The method of claim 16, wherein the pressure in the reaction vesselduring step (b) ranges from about 0 psig to about 1500 psig.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the pressure in the reaction vessel duringstep (b) ranges from about 20 psig to about 500 psig.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the pressure in the reaction vessel during step (b)ranges from about 80 psig to about 250 psig.
 25. The method of claim 16,wherein step (b) is carried out in a batch reaction vessel.
 26. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the method is carried out as a continuousprocess.
 27. The method of claim 16, further comprising introducing acopper metal-containing material into the solution of step (a), thelatter being introduced into the reaction vessel.
 28. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising introducing a copper metal-containingmaterial into the solution which remains after the removal of BCC instep (c) to provide a replenished copper solution.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising oxidizing the copper metal-containingmaterial, and introducing the oxidized copper metal into the solutionwhich remains after the removal of BCC in step (c) to provide areplenished copper solution.
 30. The method according to claim 28,wherein the replenished copper solution is introduced into the reactionvessel.
 31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the replenishedcopper solution is introduced into the reaction vessel.
 32. The methodof claim 27, wherein the copper metal-containing material is bronze,copper alloys, copper clads, or copper compounds.
 34. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein during step (b) the molar ratio ofammonia to copper (II) in the reaction vessel ranges from about 2.7 toabout 3.8; the temperature of the solution in the reaction vessel rangesfrom about 48° C. to about 80° C.; and the pressure in the reactionvessel ranges from about 20 psig to about 500 psig.
 35. The methodaccording to claim 36, wherein during step (b) the molar ratio ofammonia to copper (II) in the reaction vessel ranges from about 2.7 toabout 3.2; the temperature of the solution in the reaction vessel rangesfrom about 60° C. to about 75° C.; and the pressure in the reactionvessel ranges from about 80 psig to about 250 psig.
 36. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the copper metal-containing material is bronze, copperalloys, copper clads, or copper compounds.
 37. The method of claim 28,wherein the method is carried out as a continuous process.
 38. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the method is carried out as a continuousprocess.
 39. The method of claim 34, wherein the method is carried outas a continuous process.
 40. A method of forming azurite comprising:contacting copper metal with an aqueous solution comprising: an amine;carbonic acid; and oxygen, under conditions where the copper metal isconverted into azurite; and recovering the azurite.
 41. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the amine is ammonia.
 42. The method of claim 41,wherein the amount of copper metal is such that there is at least onemole of copper for every two moles of ammonia.
 43. The method of claim42, wherein the amount of copper metal is such that there is at least1.2 moles of copper metal for every mole of ammonia.
 44. The method ofclaim 41, wherein the ammonia is present in the aqueous solution in anamount of about 15 g/L calculated as NH₃.
 45. The method of claim 40,wherein the pH of the composition is between 8 and
 10. 46. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the temperature of the composition is between 25° C.and its boiling temperature.
 47. The method of claim 40, wherein theprocess is a batch or a continuous process, and wherein the aqueoussolution at the beginning of the reaction further comprises between 0.1to 15 grams of soluble copper ions per liter of soluble copper.
 48. Amethod of forming basic copper carbonate having the formula:(CuCO₃)_(x)(Cu(OH)₂)_(y), wherein y is 1 and x is greater than 1comprising: contacting copper metal with an aqueous solution comprising:an amine; carbonic acid; and oxygen, under conditions where the coppermetal is converted into basic copper carbonate having the formula:(CuCO₃)_(x)(Cu(OH)₂)_(y), wherein y is 1 and x is greater than 1; andrecovering the basic copper carbonate having the formula:(CuCO₃)_(x)(Cu(OH)₂)_(y), wherein y is 1 and x is greater than
 1. 49.The method of claim 48, wherein the amine is ammonia.
 50. The method ofclaim 49, wherein the amount of copper metal is such that there is atleast one mole of copper for every two moles of ammonia.
 51. The methodof claim 50, wherein the amount of copper metal is such that there is atleast 1.2 moles of copper metal for every mole of ammonia.
 52. Themethod of claim 49, wherein the ammonia is present in the aqueoussolution in an amount of about 15 g/L calculated as NH₃.
 53. The methodof claim 48, wherein the pH of the composition is between 8 and
 10. 54.The method of claim 48, wherein the temperature of the composition isbetween 25° C. and its boiling temperature.
 55. The method of claim 48,wherein the process is a batch or a continuous process, and wherein theaqueous solution at the beginning of the reaction further comprisesbetween 0.1 to 15 grams of soluble copper ions per liter of solublecopper.